September 20, 1883. J 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
257 
made special inquiries as to what variety it was.— S. Mortimer, Purlev 
Park, Reading. J 
[Tbe Melon in question is a new variety, and perhaps because of its 
external resemblance to the original Masterpiece the exhibitor intended 
to attach the name “Green Masterpiece,” but another name would be 
better if the variety is to be perpetuated.] 
CENOTIIERA R1PARIA. 
It would be well if the name of the plant figured on page 227 
could be definitely settled. It is commonly sold, I admit, as (E. riparia, 
and it is probably true that the name of prostrata is incorrect, but “ T.” 
does not giva his authority for the name riparia, and if he will send the 
plant to Kew, perhaps he will find that linearis is the accepted name ; 
at least, it was so labelled in the Kew herbaceous garden last year, whilst 
the name riparia was given to a very distinct plant of less merit, a garden 
plant having undivided upright stems 2 feet high, more in the way of a 
dwarf (E. biennis. The (Euotheras are a difficult genus to get rightly 
named, and from their shortlived habit in this climate appear in culti¬ 
vation from time to time and again disappear, changing their name as 
often as they come out again.— C. Wolley Dod. 
THE LONDON PARKS. 
HAMPTON COURT. 
Though out of the metropolitan district the park attached to the 
interesting old palace at Hampton enjoys an equally large share of 
popularity with the best in London itself, and very deservedly, for under 
the experienced care of the Superintendent (Mr. Graham) it has attained 
great fame for the carpet and other bedding so well carried out there. 
Examples of all the favourite styles of planting can, however, be seen, 
from the herbaceous border to the most delicate and intricate carpet 
design, the only style which is not largely practised being the subtropical. 
In front of the Palace next the long walk which leads to the river is a 
series of beds planted in the carpet, mixed, or conventional styles. The 
beds near the walks at right angles to these, and one forming a semi¬ 
circular sweep round the fine Yews, are devoted to Pelargoniums, with 
some varied and appropriate margin. These are very handsome, and the 
richness of colour they supply seems particularly appropriate and in 
accordance with the surroundings. They prove, indeed, how valuable 
beds of Zonal Pelargoniums are in suitable positions, for no style 
of bedding would look so well in contrast with the sombre Yews 
as the brilliant colouring furnished by these. Scarlet and pink 
shades are especially strongly represented, and the plants are notable 
throughout for their bushy habit and great floriferousness. The colours, 
too, are brighter, clearer, and richer than they are in less favoured 
localities. The carpet designs are distinguished by marked originality, 
and in most cases by great effectiveness and taste in design, 
combination of colours, and planting, and in several the beautiful 
Echeveria Peacocki is most effectively employed. This fine species, 
which is distinguished alike by its neat symmetrical form and slight 
purplish tint, has for some years been admirably grown at Hampton 
Court, and it is Strange that it has not been employed more extensively 
in other parks. Possibly, however, the stock is at present rather limited, 
and it continues too expensive to bed out on a large scale. Unquestion¬ 
ably it will ultimately become a great favourite for all delicate carpet 
designs. The mixed bods constitute a decided charm, for examples of 
several beautiful combinations are given, and suggest others of a similar 
nature. The herbaceous borders have been grand, but their most striking 
feature has faded, for the scores of vigorous white Lilies that have flowered 
most profusely during the early summer months are now past their best. 
They have been magnificent, with grand heads of large pure white flowers, 
and produced an unrivalled effect. Liliums are great favourites with 
Mr. Graham, and a large stock of L. speciosum and L. auratum is being 
raised that will one day add considerable charms to this portion of the 
garden. 
In particularising a few of the most striking beds we may commence 
with those planted in the mixed style, as these are unusually good. One 
of the first to attract attention is filled with the brightly variegated 
Abutilbn niveum maculatum, Iresine Lindeni, and Verbena venosa, 
margined with a band of the second-named plant. This affords a pretty 
■contrast of colours, is really very effective. Another excellent combina¬ 
tion is furnished by small plants of the silver variegated Acer Negundo, 
Iresine Lindeni, and Verbena Hampton Court Crimson, a most beautiful 
variety of rich colour and good habit. A third bed of great merit is 
composed of the old but useful variegated Pelargonium Manglesi, with 
Iresine Lindeni and Viola Favourite. Perhaps the most distinct of all 
is, however, one carpeted with Verbena Hampton Court Crimson, with 
which is planted Veronica Andersoni variegata, and edged with Iresine 
Herbstii. This Veronica has become a great favourite in many of the 
parks lately, and as it is readily propagated by cutting, a stock can soon 
be obtained from a few old plants. Several other mixed beds are devoted 
to various plants ; such, for example, as standard Roses with a carpet of 
Cineraria maritima and Heliotrope President Garfield, or Centaurea 
candidissima with the same Heliotrope, others of Chrysanthemum 
Madame Desgranges and Pentstemon Mrs. Sutherland, and some of a 
similar style. These imparted much diversity to the general effect, and 
served to materially relieve the monotonous appearance that usually 
characterises a great number of beds planted in a similar manner. 
Of the ordinary Pelargonium beds the most pleasing were the follow¬ 
ing, the central plants in each bed being named first :—Pel. Henry 
Jacoby edged with Centaurea candidissima, a fine contrast being afforded 
between the very dark scarlet flowers of the former and silvery white 
foliage of the latter ; Pel. Crystal Palace Gem carpeted with Viola 
Favourite (blue), margined with Iresine Wallsi ; Ageratum Imperial 
Dwarf, a fine variety, of compact habit, most floriferous, and rich colour, 
edged with Iresine Herbsti. This was a simple but handsome bed. 
Pel. Flower of Spring, carpeted with Viola Tory, margined with Iresine 
Herbstii, and edged with Alyssum saxatile variegatum. Pel. Mrs. Pollock, 
carpeted with Viola Blue King, and edged with Ageratum Cannell’s 
Dwarf, formed a pretty and distinct bed. Pel. Henry Jacoby is used 
in several other beds with excellent effect edged with Pel. Golden Harry 
Hieover ; Pel. Mrs. Pollock and Euonymus radicans variegatus, all of 
which are noticeable, and prove how valuable this Pelargonium is for 
bedding purposes. Pel. Amaranth is freely employed, and in one very 
notable case it is margined with a new dark-foliaged Coleus named 
Taylor’s Pet, which is said to have originated at Chelsea, and appears 
likely to become a favourite, as it is very dwarf, compact, and almost black. 
In other beds the same Pelargonium is edged wiih Pel. Manglesi varie¬ 
gata and Ageratum Cannell’s Dwarf. Pel. Rose of Allandale, a good pink 
variety, is also a favourite, and deservedly, for it is useful and brightly 
coloured ; in one bed margined with Coleus Verscbaffeltii and Euonymus 
radicans is striking. Pel. Surprise is not often bedded out on a large 
scale, but at Hampton Court it is one of the standard varieties, and being 
of a very distinct salmon tint it is very effective, especially when mar¬ 
gined with Pel. Flower of Spring, as it is in several cases with admirable 
results. Many other good examples might be described, for amongst 
the ninety beds devoted to the Pelargonium and mixed styles, few can 
be considered faulty even by the most critical. 
The carpet beds, it need scarcely be said, fully maintain the fame Mr. 
Graham has already won for neatness and novelty of design. Soft tints 
prevail as a groundwork ; Veronica incana, Antennaria tomentosa, and 
Leucophyton Browni, with bold panels of Alternanthera amceoa, versi¬ 
color, paronychioides aurea, and Echeveria Peacocki furnish the chief 
features. They are all marked by that finish which invariably charac¬ 
terises the best work of any kind, and the excellent condition in which 
they are kept will preserve their beauty until the frosts commence. 
These remarks have been chiefly confined to the beds in front of the 
Palace, but it may be added that the gardens generally are in similarly 
excellent condition ; turf, shrubberies, walks, and all the minutiae of 
garden management, evidently receiving careful attention from the 
courteous Superintendent.—L. C. 
SELECTING AND STORING VEGETABLE ROOTS. 
The present is the time when these must have attention, 
and where there are many roots to lift this work will form, 
the most important in the kitchen garden for some weeks to 
come. Fine weather should always be selected for the operation, 
and this is the main secret of successful preservation, and the 
weather just now prevailing is most suitable. 
Potatoes. — The stems have mostly die d, and lifting the 
roots is being carried on, the tubers being spread on a dry 
pathway. Those spread out here one day are perfectly dry by 
the next day afternoon, and they are at once transferred to a 
dark shed, where they remain until wanted. The good tubers 
are saved, the large ones being taken in first for eating, then 
the smaller are put in another place for seed, and the smallest 
as well as the diseased are given to the pigs. This plan of 
storing Potatoes answers admirably. 
Onions .—Next to Potatoes probably these follow in import¬ 
ance. In many places Onions have to be sent into the kitchen 
every day in the year, and when this is the case cultivators 
soon begin to find the advantages of careful harvesting. Our 
main-crop Onions always grow on a large square in the 
kitchen garden, and include several varieties ; but these are 
not all put together at harvesting time. Those of the White 
Spanish type are ke;.t by themselves for autumn and winter; 
then such capital keeping sorts as James’s Keeping are stored 
separately until spring. This is the best way of securing a con¬ 
stant supply and long succession of useful Onions. In beginning 
to harvest the bulbs they are drawn up and laid down on their 
sides on the place they were growing, and there they remain for 
upwards of a week, when they are lifted and laid out again on 
a gravel path in the vegetable garden. They are allowed to 
remain there for a week or so, and by this time they are well 
dried, the stems being withered, and then they are ready for 
housing, bhould wet weather prevail during the time they ai’e 
newly drawn it is a great advantage to take them into some 
open shed and dry them there, as they never keep w 11 when 
subjected to several soakings whilst being prepared for storing. 
When quite dry the bulbs should have a portion of the rough 
stem twisted off. We generally leave the stem from 3 inches 
to 4 inches long on each; and although they are now put down 
in heaps in the sheds, by-and-by some of them may be made 
into ropes to hang up, and it is necessary to have a piece of 
stem to each to do this. 
Beetroot. — This should always be taken in before severe 
